Baptism by Fire, Part 2 I baptize you with water…He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.[1] Lest anyone write off baptism as a trite or minimally-meaningful religious rite, there are interesting psychological and symbolic aspects to baptism by water that are worth considering. Bodies of water are common archetypes for the unconscious, … Continue reading Baptism by Fire, Part 2
Podcast of “Baptism by Fire”
Baptism by Fire
Baptism by Fire I baptize you with water…He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.[1] John the Baptist plays an interesting, if abbreviated, role in the life and teachings of Jesus the Christ. Described as a relative of Jesus’ through their mothers, John’s biblical role seems to primarily be one of announcing the … Continue reading Baptism by Fire
Contemplative Christmas
Monday, January 6 Epiphany Reading: “…(Magi) from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, ‘Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews?’” [1] Reflection: The gift of the twelfth day of Christmas, according to the song, is twelve drummers drumming. The number 12 is associated with perfection, completeness, and harmony. Drumming symbolizes … Continue reading Contemplative Christmas
Contemplative Christmas
Sunday, January 5 The Eleventh Day Reading: “…one of the men who have accompanied us…must become a witness with us to his resurrection.” [1] Reflection: The gift of the eleventh day of Christmas in the song is eleven pipers piping. Eleven refers to the 11 faithful disciples, which excludes Judas. Pipers are known to lead … Continue reading Contemplative Christmas
Contemplative Christmas
Saturday, January 4 The Tenth Day Reading: “Transformation is a process. The accurate language for faith is not that ‘we are saved’ but that we are ‘being saved.’” [1] Reflection: In the song, the gift of the tenth day of Christmas is ten-Lords-a-leaping. Ten refers to the Ten Commandments, and Lords imply authority or governing … Continue reading Contemplative Christmas
Contemplative Christmas
Friday, January 3 The Ninth Day Reading: Symbols, like poetry, express what cannot be said. [1] Reflection: In the song, the gift of the 9th day of Christmas is nine ladies dancing. Nine refers to the nine fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.[2] Dancing is an expression … Continue reading Contemplative Christmas
Contemplative Christmas
Thursday, January 2 The Eighth Day Reading: “And the (side) that the Lord God had taken from the man (God) made into a woman…” [1] Reflection: In the song, the gift of the eighth day of Christmas is Eight Maids a-Milking. The eight maids signify the eight Beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount.[2] The … Continue reading Contemplative Christmas
Contemplative Christmas
Tuesday, December 31 The Sixth Day Reading: “Then God said, ‘Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness…’” [1] Reflection: On the sixth day of the Bible’s allegorical story of creation, God created humankind. The reference to God in this passage is plural and the context is communal, which is a strong … Continue reading Contemplative Christmas
Contemplative Christmas
Monday, December 30 The Fifth Day Reading: And God said, “Let the waters bring forth swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the dome of the sky.” [1] Reflection: On the fifth day of creation, as recorded in Genesis, God called for the creation of “swarms of living creatures” in … Continue reading Contemplative Christmas
Contemplating Grace 